Click the below buttons to register for the Foundations of Finance: Key Knowledge Every Small Business Owner Needs
Register today as we are limited to 25 participants per class session
Managing your business finances is essential for long-term growth and stability. In 2026, the Department of Economic Development will offer a series of in-person classes at our Ashburn office, led by Cheryl Wiehn. These sessions will cover key financial topics every entrepreneur should know, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, e-commerce, financial reporting, and budgeting. You’ll gain practical skills to confidently interpret financial data, avoid common mistakes, and strengthen your business’s financial health. Classes are interactive—please bring your laptop or smart device to participate fully.
By the end of each class, you will have the foundational knowledge to take control of your business finances, improve profitability, and confidently make financial decisions that support your business’s growth and sustainability. Whether you're just starting out or looking to strengthen your financial literacy, these sessions are designed to empower you with the tools and insights you need for financial success.
In addition to the classes, there are a limited number of free one-year subscriptions to the QuickBooks platform that attendees may receive along with up to five hours of individualized support to set up their QuickBooks account. Attendees who take advantage of the QuickBooks license and additional hours of support will get help identifying the appropriate version of QuickBooks for their specific business, establishing the initial license, walking the business through the process of establishing their chart of accounts, and ensuring the business understands the features necessary for effective use of the software on their own.
The topics for the classes include:
Foundations of Finance Program and QuickBooks Overview
Start strong with the basics every business owner should know. In this intro class, we’ll walk through the Foundations of Finance program, basics of small business bookkeeping and give you a beginner-friendly tour of QuickBooks. You'll learn what to track, why it matters, and how QuickBooks can simplify the whole process—no accounting background required.
Register today as we are limited to 25 participants per class session.
Budgeting / Chart of Accounts
Take control of your business finances from the ground up. This class covers how to organize your chart of accounts and build a realistic budget that helps you plan, track, and grow with confidence. Perfect for new business owners who want to start off strong and set themselves up for long-term success.
Register today as we are limited to 25 participants per class session
Invoicing, Collecting $$, Paying Bills, Recording Expenses (AR/AP)
Learn the systems that keep your business running smoothly. In this class, we’ll cover the full money-in/money-out process—from sending invoices and collecting payments to recording expenses and paying bills. You’ll learn how to stay organized, get paid on time, and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Register today as we are limited to 25 participants per class session
Reconciliations & Running Financial Reports
Bring your books full circle and turn numbers into insight. This class covers how to reconcile your accounts and run key financial reports so you can make smart, confident decisions. We'll help you spot errors, understand your data, and finally understand what your numbers are “telling” you.
Register today as we are limited to 25 participants per class session.
Payroll and Other Integrations
Streamline your systems and keep everything connected. From running payroll to syncing payment processors and CRMs, this class will show you how to connect the tools you use every day to your bookkeeping software. Get your tech working with you—not against you.
Register today as we are limited to 25 participants per class session
Cheryl Wiehn
Brown Dog Bookkeeping
Cheryl Wiehn is the owner of Brown Dog Bookkeeping, where she provides bookkeeping services, strategy sessions and Quickbooks training to help small business owners run their business more efficiently with less stress and more profit. Whether that’s working with them to learn how to perform the necessary bookkeeping tasks themselves or completely taking that stress off their plate, she’s here to work with them wherever they may be on their business journey. With a bachelor’s degree in business administration, several years bookkeeping experience in a variety of industries and being a Quickbooks Advanced Online Certified Pro Advisor, she has the skills and experience to help small business owners achieve their unique goals for their business.